The best hammocks
Two trees and a lazy afternoon: the hammocks for gardens, campsites and summer walks.
A hammock is one of those presents that makes people slow down. Parachute-nylon ones pack down to about the size of a water bottle and go on every trip; cotton ones feel softer for the garden.
The word came to Europe from the Caribbean: Spanish sailors picked up 'hamaca' from the Taíno people, and hammocks soon became standard bedding at sea. Tree straps, rather than rope, are kinder to the bark.
What matters
- Nylon to carry, cotton for the garden.
- Tree straps and carabiners in the box.
- Weight limit, especially for two.
- A bug net for sleeping out in summer.
#1 of 5
Best overall
NATUREFUN Ultra-Light Camping Hammock (300kg)
£10–£20 Price range
Parachute nylon that packs into a bag sewn onto the hammock itself, so the bag can't get lost, and weighs 580g with its straps and carabiners. Rated to 300kg, with wide tree-friendly straps.
What owners say: Owners find it good quality, sturdy enough for two adults, easy to put up and take down, and very light to carry.
A closer look: Hang it with a gentle curve rather than pulled tight, and lie slightly diagonally: it's flatter and far comfier that way. Straps round the trunk, not rope, protect the bark.
- 275 × 140cm, 210T parachute nylon
- Rated to 300kg
- 580g with straps and carabiners
- Stuff sack sewn on, packs to 18 × 13cm
- Triple-stitched seams
Best for: Camping and travel
- Fabric
- 210T parachute nylon
- Size
- 275 × 140cm
- Max load
- 300kg
- Weight
- 580g
- Extras
- Attached stuff sack
#2 of 5
Best for the garden
ANYOO Cotton Hammock with Tree Straps
£20–£30 Price range
Soft, breathable cotton-blend fabric that feels like a proper garden hammock, shaped so the bottom is longer than the top for a flatter lie that's harder to roll out of.
What owners say: Owners find it comfortable, easy to hang between trees and roomy enough for two, and love the colours.
Heads up: Cotton takes longer to dry than nylon, so bring it in when rain's coming rather than leaving it out all summer.
A closer look: Two sturdy trees or posts about 3–4m apart are ideal. A book, a cushion and a Sunday afternoon are all it needs.
- 270 × 150cm cotton-polyester
- Anti-roll shape
- Recommended to 250kg
- Tree straps and 2 carabiners
- 1.68kg
Best for: Lazy garden afternoons
- Fabric
- Cotton-polyester
- Size
- 270 × 150cm
- Max load
- 250kg
- Weight
- 1.68kg
- Extras
- Anti-roll shape
#3 of 5
AnorTrek Parachute Camping Hammock with Straps
£10–£20 Price range
Up in about 90 seconds: two 2.5m straps with six loops each let you adjust the height without knots, and at 590g it's barely noticed in a rucksack.
What owners say: Owners find it excellent quality, sturdy, easy to set up and comfortable, and like how small it packs.
A closer look: Clip it to the loop that gives the right height: sitting-height at the lowest point is about right. Pack it in the rucksack for any walk with a view.
- 280 × 140cm, 210T parachute nylon
- Rated to 230kg
- 590g
- 2 × 2.5m straps with 5+1 loops
- Steel carabiners
Best for: Quick set-up
- Fabric
- 210T parachute nylon
- Size
- 280 × 140cm
- Max load
- 230kg
- Weight
- 590g
- Extras
- Straps with loops
#4 of 5
Best with a net
COVACURE Camping Hammock with Mosquito Net
£20–£30 Price range
A built-in bug net for nights in the woods (it's double-sided, so it flips underneath when you don't need it), plus aluminium carabiners, straps, bungee cords and hooks: the full kit for sleeping out.
What owners say: Owners find it comfortable, durable and easy to set up, and say the mosquito net works well.
A closer look: For a night out, add a tarp above and a sleeping mat inside: hammocks get cold underneath. Flip the net under for daytime naps.
- 260 × 130cm, 210T parachute nylon
- Mosquito net, double-sided use
- Rated to 200kg
- Aluminium carabiners, straps, bungees
- About 680g
Best for: Summer nights in the woods
- Fabric
- 210T parachute nylon
- Size
- 260 × 130cm
- Max load
- 200kg
- Weight
- About 680g
- Extras
- Mosquito net
#5 of 5
Best for two
Glymnis 2-Person Camping Hammock
£10–£20 Price range
Wide enough for two to share, triple-stitched and rated to 300kg, for less than the price of a takeaway.
What owners say: Owners find it great value, sturdy, light and comfortable, and easy to set up.
A closer look: Pick trees no more than 5m apart, as the maker suggests, and check both straps sit level before two climb in. On its own it's a roomy single for stretching out.
- 275 × 140cm, fits two
- 210T nylon, triple-stitched
- Rated to 300kg
- D-carabiners and straps
- 820g with storage bag
Best for: Couples
- Fabric
- 210T nylon
- Size
- 275 × 140cm
- Max load
- 300kg
- Weight
- 820g
- Extras
- Two-person size
How they compare
| Feature | #1NATUREFUN | #2ANYOO cotton | #3AnorTrek | #4COVACURE net | #5Glymnis 2-person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best for the garden | Best with a net | Best for two | ||
| Picked Rating | 9.3 | 9.2 | 9.2 | 9.0 | 8.9 |
| Price | £10–£20 Price range | £20–£30 Price range | £10–£20 Price range | £20–£30 Price range | £10–£20 Price range |
| Fabric | 210T parachute nylon | Cotton-polyester | 210T parachute nylon | 210T parachute nylon | 210T nylon |
| Size | 275 × 140cm | 270 × 150cm | 280 × 140cm | 260 × 130cm | 275 × 140cm |
| Max load | 300kg | 250kg | 230kg | 200kg | 300kg |
| Weight | 580g | 1.68kg | 590g | About 680g | 820g |
| Extras | Attached stuff sack | Anti-roll shape | Straps with loops | Mosquito net | Two-person size |
| Best for | Camping and travel | Lazy garden afternoons | Quick set-up | Summer nights in the woods | Couples |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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